Container with exteriorly mounted straw



v y 25, 1967 w. A. PUGH, sR 3,332,567

CONTAINER WITH EXTERIORLY MOUNTED STRAW Filed June 5, 1966 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mil/27m A; Pugh s1:

INVENTOR.

y 1967 w. A. PUGH, SR 3,332,567

CONTAINER WITH EXTERIORLY MOUNTED STRAW Filed June 5, 1966 2 sheets-sheet 2 William A. Pug/1, .Srr

INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,332,567 CONTAINER WITH EXTERIORLY MOUNTED STRAW William A. Pugh, Sr., 5200 S. Harper Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60615 Filed June 3, 1966, Ser. No. 555,119 9 Claims. (Cl. 215100) The present invention generally relates to a container with a sipper straw combined therewith and more specifically to such a container in which the straw is mounted exteriorly of the interior surface thereof so that the straw will not come into contact with the contents of the container until such time as the straw is removed from the exterior surface of the container and placed into the container.

An object of the present invention is to provide a container having an exteriorly mounted straw which is disposed in a recess, a channel or groove formed in the exterior surface of the container and sealed therein by a removable sealing strip so that the straw will be retained in a sanitary condition during handling thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with a straw mounted in the exterior surface thereof in which the straw is striped and provided with a transparent overlying sealing member so that the straw is readily observed when the containers are stacked with the straw being visible throughout its entire length for attracting attention to the straw and container and at the same time providing a neat and attractive container which may be constructed of drawn metal, plastic or the like.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a container and straw on the exterior surface thereof in which the straw is retained dry and rigid and will not flip liquid when the straw is rendered useful inasmuch as the straw does not come into contact with the liquid until it is removed from its storage place and inserted into the liquid in the container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a container and straw combination in which the straw is disposed in the exterior surface of the container with the straw received within a groove or depression having ends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the straw for preventing shifting of the straw within the depression.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container of the tapered type adapted to be disposed in nested relation and provided with a circumferentially extending protuberance or rib projecting outwardly from the surface of the container. 7

Another significant object of the present invention is to provide a container which may be in the form of a throw away or one way or a conventional bottle having the inset groove formed therein receiving a sipper straw with a transparent cover strip being provided for the straw with the cover strip and straw being recessed into the surface of the bottle to provide a smooth surface thereon to enable ease of application of any desired label whether it be glued on, painted on, or the like.

Still another important feature of this invention is to provide a container which may be of metal, plastic, glass or the like having a circumferentially extending rib or protuberance projecting radially outwardly therefrom with the rib being formed by outward offset of the material of the container combined with an inset groove in the wall of the container for receiving a sipper straw accessible from the exterior surface of the container in which the outset rib material generally equals the volume of the inset rib or groove for receiving the straw so that the capacity of the container is substantially unchanged.

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Yet another object of the invention is to provide a container which is simple in construction, easy to use, easy to make and fi-ll on existing machinery and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container and straw combination of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, on an enlarged scale, and .illustrating the structure of the container, depression formed therein and straw;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the arrangement of the straw and the sealing material overlying the straw;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 llustrating further structural details of the straw and container;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention including an outset rib adjacent the upper end thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view along section line 66. of FIGURE 5 illustrating the specific structure of the rib; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective of a bottle with the inset groove and straw incorporated therein.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the container while the numeral 12 generally designates the straw incorporated intothe exterior surface of the container 10.

The container 10 includes a peripheral wall 14 and a bottom 16 which are joined together along a bottom reversely folded bead 18. For example, the container may be an extruded aluminum can, a drawn plastic can, a spiral or convolute can and preferably any type of can that does not have a seam at the bottom thereof such as an extruded steel can.

When the can or container is formed, a groove, recess or depression 20 is formed in the peripheral wall 14 and continues as a groove, recess or depression 22 across the bottom wall 16 and being continuous around the corner defined by the reversely folded bead 18 so that the continuity of the container itself is not destroyed. The upper end of the groove 20 includes an end or abutment 24 that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the groove or depression 20. The end of the groove 22 is provided with a similar abutment 26 which actually is a part of the reversely folded bead 18.

Disposed within the groove 20 and groove 22 is a sipper straw 28 which is striped and preferably provided with a spiral red stripe for easy observation.

As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the contour or curvature of the groove 20 as well as the groove 22 conforms with the periphery of the straw with the depth of the groove being such that the straw is completely received within the groove and does not project beyond the surface of the can 14.

Closing the groove 20 as well as the groove 22 is a transparent coloring and sealing tape 30 that bridges the grooves and encloses the space defined by the grooves in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 with the tape 30 being adhesively bonded to the surface of the can.

One end of the tape 30 is provided with a pull tab 32 in the form of a reversely folded end portion thereof. The other end of the tape 30 may also be provided with a reversely bent portion 34 for reinforcement purposes.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the pull tab 32 is disposed immediately under the bead 36 which joins the top 38 t the peripheral wall 14. This head 36 is of conventional construction with the pull tab 32 underlying the head to the extent that it will not be accidentally dislodged or pulled during normal handling of the can and will not affect the operation of the bead but will be readily available for access when it is desired to use the straws 28. When it is desired to so use the straw, the pull tab 32 is pulled downwardly such that the tape is removed and the straw is ready for use.

When forming a drawn can, the groove will be drawn therein during the manufacturing operation. The can is then filled and the lid applied after which the straw is applied onto the can and the transparent plastic strip, cover or tape is applied and the can is then ready for shipping. The straw 28 is preferably plastic and since it is mounted on the exterior of the can, it is always dry and the straw thus is retained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. The plastic tape is transparent thereby enabling the straw to be observed for indicating the presence thereof to the consumer. The straw is always with the container or can until it is used and thus the package including the container and straw is upgraded for its utility and hygienic qualities. Mounting of the straw exteriorly of the can eliminates dripping and resilient flexiing or flipping of liquid onto the consumer when the straw is to be used. The groove in the wall and bottom of the container helps to break the vacuum between stacked tapered cans when they are to be removed from a stack for filling.

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the container generally designated by 40 which also includes a straw assembly generally designated by the numeral 42. The container 40 includes a peripheral wall 44 generally circular in cross-sectional configuration but tapered inwardly from top to bottom thereof with the wall 44 having a bottom 46 of unitary construction therewith with there being a double folded bead or flange 48 at the juncture of the bottom 46 and the wall 44.

Vertically in the wall 44, there is provided an inset groove or recess 50 which is continuous across the bottom 46 as indicated by numeral 52. The upper end of the groove 50 terminates in an abutment end surface 54 which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the groove 50 and a similar abutment is provided for the end of the groove 52. Disposed in the grooves 50 and 52 is a flexible plastic striped straw 56 and an overlying tape 58 is provided for closing the grooves 50 and 52, sealing the straw 56 and enabling observation of the straw. One end of the tape 58 is provided with a reversely folded tab 60 forming a handle therefor and which is disposed immediately under the usual head 62 formed between the top 64 and the wall 44 when the container is filled. The top 64 is provided with a central opening assembly generallydesignated by the numberal 66 such as that more clearly illustrated in my copending application Ser. No. 411,783, now Patent Number 3,295,715, filed Nov. 17, 1964, for Metal Container With Central Plastic Straw.

Formed in the wall 44 adjacent the upper end thereof is an outwardly deformed or offset rib 68 which defines a groove 70 opening towards the inner surface thereof. The rib 68 is spaced downwardly from the top end of the wall 44 but is located just above abutment 54. The provision of the rib 68 will replace the interior volume of the container which is lost due to the inset grooves 50 and 52 so that the interior volume of the container will remain the same.

For the purposes of describing the invention in this application, the terms container, can, receptacle and the like are used synonymously and alternatively in that the present invention may be incorporated into various types of receptacles including conventional bottles, so-called one-way bottles, throw away bottles and the like, extruded aluminum .or steel cans or containers, drawn plastic cans or containers, a spiral or convolute can or container or other shapes and sizes of containers which may be made in various procedures such as blow molding or the like which enables the invention to be used with rectangular containers or other similar shapes.

The inset groove along the side wall and across the bottom of the container not only receives the straw but also increases the rigidity of the containers wall as well as the bottom of the container. The tapered construction of the containers enables them to be easily nested for reduction in the cost in shipping and also enabling the containers to be easily unnested for use with conventional filling and sealing machinery. When the container is employed with the straw therein, it may be used for various types of beverages and drinks including carbonated drinks. When a containerfor beer or other drinks which are not normally consumed with a sipper straw, the inset groove will not be used. However, the circular rib near the top of the tapered container may be employed to rigidity the wall of the can and the opener assembly will be in the center of the contain when used for soft drinks, carbonated beverages or other liquids to be consumed through a straw but the opener assembly will be near the periphery of the top of the container when the container is used for beer or the like which is normally consumed from the can Without a straw. By providing the offset rib adjacent the top of the can or container, such ribs will not interfere with printing on the can. The straw, when used, is inset and does not interfere with the printing operation on the can. The outset circumferential rib as well as the inset groove is used to reinforce the can to provide more rigidity and retains the internal volume of the container constant since the outwardly offset rib compensates for the volume occupied by the inset groove for the straw. The rib or protuberance adjacent the upper end of the wall of the container also enables the cans to be easily nested.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a bottle 72 having a wall 74 receiving a straw 76 in a groove 78 and being covered by a tape 80 with a pull tab 82. A closure cap 84 is provided on the bottle 72 and this figure illustrates, that a comparable straw may be incorporated into any type of bottle presently used for beverages.

As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the transparent tape 30 is recessed into a recess 31 in the container wall 14 orienting the edges of the tape flush with the perimeter of the can. This will prevent the edges of the tape from being picked up in transit and no abrasion of the edges of the tape will occur. Also, entry of debris and moisture will be prevented. The tape is coated with a transparent moisture impervious coating which prevents infiltration of moisture condensing on the can and provides a hygienic protection for the straw.

The sipper straw may be striped or colored any other suitable decorative or ornamental color so that it will be readily observed by a prospective customer or consumer of the goods contained in the container and this will increase the sale by attracting attention to the container.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A combined container and sipper straw comprising a can having a peripheral Wall and a bottom continguous thereto, the external surface of said peripheral Wall and bottom having an indented groove defined therein communicating with the exterior surface of the can and extending transversely across the bottom and upwardly in the peripheral wall, a straw disposed in the groove and extending substantially throughout the length thereof, said groove having a depth generally equal to the greatest transverse dimension of the straw so that the periphery of the straw will be substantially flush with the outer surface of the peripheral wall and bottom respectively, and a removable sealing tape closing the groove and retaining the straw therein and maintaining the straw in a clean sanitary condition.

2. The combination as defined is claim 1 wherein said tape overlying the straw and closing the groove is transparent, said straw being striped to enable a consumer to readily observe the presence of the straw.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the terminal end of the groove in the peripheral wall is disposed adjacent the upper rim of the can with the end of the groove being defined by an abutment for preventing sliding movement of the straw in the groove.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said sealing tape is provided with a pull tab at the end thereof in sealing relation to the abutment and underlying the rim on the can for enabling the tape to be easily stripped from the can.

5. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said tape is disposed in an indented recess along both sides of the groove to orient the edges of the tape flush with the surface of the wall thereby preventing damage to the tape and entry of foreign material into the groove.

6. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said container wall is glass, said container including an upwardly tapered neck having a closure cap thereon,

7. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said tape is transparent, and a transparent seal coating overlying the tape for sealing the tape and straw while permitting observation of the straw.

8. A container for receiving an exteriorly mounted straw comprising a can having a continuous peripheral wall and bottom, and a groove formed in the peripheral wall and the bottom and extending substantially throughout the vertical dirnemsion of the wall and the horizontal dimension of the bottom, said groove being substantially symmetrical in transverse cross-sectional configuration for receiving a straw having a similar configuration, said groove being inset into the peripheral wall to provide a smooth external surface to the container when a straw is disposed in the groove and a sealing tape overlies the straw, said peripheral wall also including an outwardly offset, horizontal, circumferential rib defining a groove in the inner surface of the peripheral wall, said rib defining outwardly offset groove being substantially equal in volume to the inset groove to compensate for loss of interior volume of the container when the groove is inset into the interior of the container.

9. The container as defined in claim 8 wherein said rib is spaced below and adjacent the top of the container wall thereby leaving a major portion of the external surface of the container wall smooth and free of obstructions to facilitate placement of labels, printing of labels or the like on the exterior surface of the Wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,181,150 11/1939 Pittenger 22072 X 2,938,649 5/1960 Debs 220-72 3,077,284 2/1963 McLaughlin 220-72 X FOREIGN PATENTS 598,612 2/ 1948 Great Britain. 754,549 8/1956 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

D. F. NORTON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COMBINED CONTAINER AND SIPPER STRAW COMPRISING A CAN HAVING A PERIPHERAL WALL AND A BOTTOM CONTINGUOUS THERETO, THE EXTERNAL SURFACE OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALL AND BOTTOM HAVING AN INDENTED GROOVE DEFINED THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE CAN AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE BOTTOM AND UPWARDLY IN THE PERIPHERAL WALL, A STRAW DISPOSED IN THE GROOVE AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID GROOVE HAVING A DEPTH GENERALLY EQUAL TO THE GREATEST TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF THE STRAW SO THAT THE PERIPHERY OF THE STRAW WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE PERIPHERAL WALL AND BOTTOM RESPECTIVELY, AND A REMOVABLE SEALING TAPE CLOSING THE GROOVE AND RETAINING THE STRAW THEREIN AND MAINTAINING THE STRAW IN A CLEAN SANITARY CONDITION. 